Yellowstone

Chapter 2 - Loud And Heavy

Elisabeth woke up to the symphony of rolling thunder. 'Shit...'

The rest of the guys were still asleep. Quickly, she pulled on her boots and hat, being careful not to wake anyone up.

Once she got outside, she ran towards the pastures where everyone's horses were grazing.

She hopped the fence, whistling to them. The horses all perked up and started to come near her. "Come on kiddos. You aren't getting sick on my watch." She said under her breath.

She broke into a jog, listening to the horses trotting beside her. The ground was wet, and the sound of raindrops hitting her hat made Elisabeth a little dizzy.

Quickly, she opened the gate, letting them out. Their hooves clacked on the concrete as they went inside the barn. Amazingly, they went into their stalls on their own.

"Thank goodness. I thought was gonna have to wrangle all of ya." She locked every stall door, ensuring they wouldn't be able to get back outside.

If they went back outside without rainsheets on, they could get critically sick.

She gave each horse a fresh bunch of hay before walking back to the bunkhouse. The rain was calming in a way. It wasn't a heavy storm, but it wasn't just a mist either. Her hat and jacket kept her from getting too wet.

She entered the bunkhouse, sighing. Lloyd was awake, making his morning coffee. "Where'd you head off to?" He asked, his voice still a little raspy.

"I just went to put the horses up. Didn't want 'em to get sick." She murmured sitting down on the couch and leaning back. She closed her eyes, sighing.

"This type-a weather makes me sleepy." Lloyd mumbled, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Me too." Ryan grunted, standing up. His ankles cracked as he did so.

Lloyd leaned against the counter, handing Ryan a mug. He took it, filling it almost all the way. He took a generous sip, nodding his head.

"That's some good fuckin' coffee." He huffed.

Elisabeth chuckled, standing up. "Where ya goin'?" Ryan asked.

"Out on the back porch. I'm gonna listen to the storm for a while." She responded, standing up. She headed out the back door, closing it behind her.

The radio was playing some old country songs. Things that most city folk wouldn't know about. She sat on the wooden railing that surrounded the porch, sighing. She slouched her head forward, closing her eyes.

After a couple minutes of sitting there alone in her thoughts, the door squeaked open.

She looked over her shoulder. It was Walker.

"Hey." He said with a soft smile. "Can I sit?" He asked, motioning to the spot next to her. She nodded, looking straight ahead again.

He sat down beside her, watching the tiny little droplets hit the ground. "Thanks for uh... teachin' me how to take care of this." He said, gesturing to his left pectoral, where his fresh brand resided.

"No problem." He looked like he had something else to say. "Why didn't that other guy come when I got branded?" He asked. "Because he doesn't wear the brand. Only the criminals wear it. And the branded ones are the only ones who witness the ceremony." She explained.

"So you're branded?" He concluded. She chuckled. "Yep. Got branded my first night here, just like you."

"What'd you do?" He asked.

"Got mixed up with the wrong people and I got into a lot of fights. One day I got arrested for it and spent just under a month in juvenile prison. Tried to find work, but no one would take me because of the criminal record. Someone called up this place and bam, I'm employed."